Prednisolone problem

Starburst
Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
edited 11. Sep 2012, 13:11 in Living with Arthritis archive
The good news is that my rheumy was keen for me to stay on 10mg prednisolone until I start leflunomide. Once I start the new drug and get back into the swing of university, she said I should taper down very slowly. The bad news is that the only side effect I'm getting is a strange one. I'm addicted to salt. I'm embarrassed to admit I got caught licking salt off a plate. :o I craved salt the last time I was on pred tablets but not like this. As a result, I'm drinking water by the gallon too. Has anyone else experienced this strange phenomenon?

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    No, I haven't but this sounds worrying. Pred tricks the body into all kinds of things and this could be another one of its tricks. You said you had this before, did it pass and if so how long did it take? It is difficult to tell yourself that it is only the meds and not a true physical need but to crave it to that level is not good - too much salt and too much water are both bad things. Maybe a pred reduction could be the answer but that needs to be talked over with your rheumatology nurse etc. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Last time I was only on prednisolone for 4 weeks. I'm seeing my rheumy nurse next week and have a GP appt on Friday. Obviously, I'm trying not to consume too much salt but I guess I need to keep an eye on it. :oops:
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think you should, too much salt is bad for your blood pressure etc but I am glad to hear that you are seeing your GP soon. Be careful though, please keep that salt to a minimum! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I share DD's concerns so please tell your GP on Friday, Starburst. We all eat far too much salt anyway that we're not even aware of. It does sound to be the pred causing it. Can you try something else to take your mind off it?
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • RitaW
    RitaW Member Posts: 83
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have been on Pred for many years(too many) I am down to just 2mg now.I have never had any cravings but been so hungry on the higher doses I could have chewed my own arm off. :) Also bouts of elation (enjoyable).Good luck with the Leflumanide,I just stopped that one this week after being on it for a few years.I had no side effects from it,but it's just not working for me any more.x
    R.A. FMS IBS RLS IGD with honours.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Starburst, I think it's today that you're seeing your GP, yes? I hope he can help with this salt craving - I also hope that it has dwindled over the past couple of days. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello. Thanks for replies. I saw a different GP today. Apparently he is the surgery's new resident expert in all things rheumatology. So, that's good news! He said to keep being careful with salt which I have been and also said he didn't want to go against my rheumy's advice to stay on 10mg for another 3 weeks. I said if I noticed excessive salt cravings, I would come back and we could reconsider.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Starburst, how are things going now? Has the salt craving eased at all? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for asking, DD. I'm still craving salt but being firm with myself. I see rheumy nurse tomorrow and think I'm going to have to drop the dose as my white blood cell count has increased since starting pred. My GP wasn't too happy.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    That doesn't sound too good, Starburst, please let us know what the rheumatology nurse has to say. I admit I'm hoping she's come across this type of side-effect before so that she can tell you what's what. Take care. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • scattered
    scattered Member Posts: 326
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    An elevated white count is quite a common side-effect of pred and sson goes back to nirma once you come off it. I have never been taken off pred due to my white count being elevated and at times it's been very high, but every doctor is different.
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    scattered wrote:
    An elevated white count is quite a common side-effect of pred and sson goes back to nirma once you come off it. I have never been taken off pred due to my white count being elevated and at times it's been very high, but every doctor is different.

    Yep, my rheumy nurse said it's not an issue. My GP surgery tends to make more noise over this sort of thing.
  • Colin1
    Colin1 Member Posts: 1,769
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Starburst, first of all i dont want to worry you but i'm with those who feel concerned. To much salt is not good for you BUT did you know one of the symptems of addison disease is a craving for salt and it can be caused by a reduction of PRED do you know about the reduction if done to quick can also affect the adrenal glands, i would have another chat with your GP might be something or nothing but GPs cant know all things, you could mention the addison and akk him to send you for tests.
    Colin
    WHEN GOD GIVES YOU LEMONS MAKE LEMONADE

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